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DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 



A POEM. 



BY WILLIAM GILES DTX 



PART FIRST. 



BOSTON AND CAMBRIDGE : 

JAMES MUKEOE AND COMPANY 
1852. 



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DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY 



A POEM, 



BY WILLIAM GILES DIX. 



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PART FIRST 




BOSTON AND CAMBRIDGE: 

JAMES MUNROE AND COMPANY 
1852. 



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t^^\^ 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by 

w. G. DIX, 

In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Maasachusetts, 



BOSTON : 

SAHRELL & MOORE, PRINTER*^ 
16 Devonshire Street. 



THE 



DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 



? A steadfast law invincibly controls 

Each wave of action in time's sea that rolls ; 

Forecasting wisdom may mark out the plan, 

The event may leap beyond the studied span ; 

Wars waged to keep secure a falling crown 

May break it sooner and forever down ; 

A certain victory may not gain redress ; 

A hard defeat may usher quick success ; 

Swords which resist a cruel tyrant's claim, 

After may evil do in freedom's name ; 

War's prizes may to bitter ashes turn. 

Or to a nation's heart like furies burn ; 

Strong arms which gain from foes abroad release 

May crush the bulwarks of internal peace ; 

The will which keeps secure one threatened right 

May found an empire with its manly might. 



4 THE DECK OF THIi CRESCENT CITY, 

Though Conquest laurels and new lands may give, 
Within her stores seeds of results may live, 
Which to full fruit matured in days to be. 
May bring from force sublimer victory ; 
A single province by a treaty won, 
Confirming what in arms brave men have done, 
A nation's growth and glory may expand. 
From one great ocean to another's strand ; 
The issues of war may be a busy school 
Wliere manners, laws and arts are taught to rule. 
Where may the world, observing, quickly learn 
How sandy wastes to cities vast may turn ; 
Through blind and narrow policy the Avay 
Oft lies by which the right gains power to sway 
Those who to self would bind the world's advance, 
Or hush it still in an unbroken trance. 

When Texas grieved and vexed poor Mexico, 
Persisting from her circling arms to go, 
And, after having on herself relied. 
Deeply, at length, for the communion sighed. 
Not of the saints, but of the blessed States, 
As likely so to enjoy much better rates. 
And rub off old scores sooner from the slates. 
It touched one's heart to see her mother's tears ; 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 

And yet more painful were her crying fears, 
After the lone star was in haste admitted 
To our large galaxy, having outwitted 
Her mother's tears and outcries by the vote 
Of those dear brethren who with zeal promote 
In various ways, in Congress and elsewhere. 
The public good, making their special care 
To do as much as honest patriots can 
To serve their country, with no fear of man, 
And the least fear of God that will suffice 
To keep up credit in the people's eyes, — 
That galaxy, expanding fast and far. 
Absorbing every bright, o'ertaken star. 
Ready to seize a full-grown constellation. 
Intending still to cease from annexation. 
And stay her limits, satisfied somewhere 
Between the Southern Cross and Northern Bear. 

But Mexico was far too sorely grieved 

To be of her heart's anguish soon relieved ; 

She could not heal the sorrows of her mind, 

And would not be submissively resigned 

To what the ambition of her neighbors north 

Had brought to her of wrong and trouble forth. 

She may have had one of those natures good. 



6 THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 

Which bitterly for their afflictions moan, 
But bear the load with Christian fortitude, 
Of woes and sorrows which are not their own. 
So in the fulness of tempestuous grief 
She sought in threats alone to gain relief. 
Pain that will hear not one consoling word, 
Turning to rage may seize the thirsty sword. 

While with her threats the horizon lowered yet, 
Our President and his advisers met 
As they are wont, as oft as public cares 
Demand uncommon prudence in affairs. 
These worthy men a faithful band compose. 
On whom the interests of the land repose, 
Though some have doubted whether they are meant 
To serve the people or the President. 
Let him who can this open point decide. 
It cannot reasonably be denied 
That on the Cabinet rests the only hope. 
Sometimes, with ills at home, abroad to cope. 
All thoughtful school-boys in the country know, 
What needs no mighty arguments to show. 
That Congress draws no right from an election, 
To indulge in such poor sport as breaking noses, 
Or use the House and Senate for dissection, 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 

Where each the candidate whom he opposes, 
May cut up fine for popular inspection. 
That should be mended ; but, at anj rate, 
Not more determined is the march of fate. 
Than that, if such mean practices endure. 
There must be found a strong, efficient cure. 
Some Cromwell or Napoleon may arise. 
To shut the Capitol on Congress' eyes, 
Or make the members from the windows jump, 
To flourish saws and scalpels at the stump. 
Let us all pray that Congressmen may tame 
Their rage in season to prevent such shame, 
And consolation take to be assured, 
There's one protection, till the wrong be cured. 
While Congress doubles up hard fists to fight, 
There is a President to keep things right ; 
While the mad crew are brandishing cold steel, 
He and his Cabinet can keep the wheel. 

It is by virtue of the place required. 
That the whole Cabinet, however tired, 
Should give their aid, when wanted, in a trice, 
In weighty thinking and in good advice ; 
No easy burden this, for every day 
Those gentlemen are forced to send away 



8 THE DECK OF TiHE CRESCENT CITY. 

From their precincts full many an office-seeker, 

Till health and spirits become weekly weaker. 

Hard is it, when a man gets only nay. 

Pleading for office full six hours a day. 

Good may the reasons be to put him by, 

And still the man refuses to see why. 

The men who for an office longest tease, 

And leave with noes stinging their ears like fleas. 

Not leaving then, until the President 

Has for his minister on business sent, 

May gnash their teeth, and scowl, and tear their hair, 

And at the men for whom they voted swear. 

The best excuses can but slowly bend 

The man whom want and blind assurance send 

To wring an office for himself or friend. 

Our patient rulers must at times get nervous 

From their anxiety and pains to serve us ; 

Hard as their work is, still, when they forsake it, 

There is many a one who would be glad to take it. 

How pleasant is it a good man to see. 

Eager to take responsibility. 

And to become a servant of the people. 

That is, to stand a mark upon a steeple, 

For every missile which the crowd may fling ! 

Yes, public station is a pleasant thing. 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 9 

Well is it that it is so ; for if men 

Would not take oflSce, worse would happen then. 

So should the thought of the despatch e'er vex us, 

Which Tyler showed in his annexing Texas, 

Let us consider, even that was fitter. 

Than if no one had been there to admit her ; 

Troubles enough the sorrowing orphan bore, 

Without a fruitless knocking at the door. 

If crying she had stayed outside all night, 

She might have suffered some malaria's bhght, 

She might her death by sudden cold have taken, 

Or burnt with fever, or with ague shaken. 

Repeat the rhyme, no longer let us vex us ; 

" Whatever is, is right," including Texas. 

That all events must once begin is true ; 

When things are done, there must be power to do ; 

Whatever happens follows certain laws ; 

War cannot be without some sort of cause ; 

Which sentences oracular convey 

This point, — that on the memorable day 

When General Taylor crossed the Nueces' course. 

With his small army named of observation. 

Because such is a conscientious force, 

That will not fight without a provocation, — 



10 THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 



But waits impatiently until occurs 

Some instigation to apply the spurs, — 

(Nueces means nuts — and there has been no lack 

Since then of nuts for casuists to crack, 

For it would knit the brows of a confessor 

To say which country, then, was the aggressor ; — ) 

When this observing army so invaded 

The land beyond the Nueces, — if they waded. 

Or went in boats, or rafts, or even by swimming 

Conquered the tide spilled from the ocean brimming. 

It matters little, but it is to be 

Presumed this act had some authority. 

Now clearly to the mind the meaning shines 

Of this long paragraph's beginning lines. 

The main authority which forward set 

This plan, must needs have been the Cabinet. 

That General Taylor answered some instruction, 

Follows from common notions of induction. 

Of course all rulers have the means to know 

Sooner than folks in general how things go. 

The President and ministers agreed 

That it would be the most sagacious deed 

To draw on war, to reach a point of space 

To tempt the Mexicans to slap our face ; — 

After which insult it would then be plain 

In earnest to begin the hot campaign. 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 11 

This is induction ; — be it said again, 

The maker of these verses was not then, 

And is not now an agent to disclose 

The secrets of the Cabinet ; he knows 

About the facts what every body else 

Knows of the buckling on of soldiers' belts, 

And of the torch of battle being lighted 

Somewhat as in the way above recited. 

This it is needful briefly to express 

Lest any person not insane should guess 

That one who in this country wastes his time 

On that forbidden fruit, the art of rhyme. 

Should know more than the men who talk in prose, 

Of dice political, their lots and throws. 

The man who thinks that betting is a sin. 

Not since it is, but lest he should not win. 

As loudly as he likes may safely bet. 

That when the President and Cabinet 

To their close confidence shall call a poet, 

The people here and world at large will know it. 

Marks have been made by that bold observation. 
Which long will stay upon our plastic nation ; 
A war in laurels fruitful, and which more 
Than heart could wish of territory bore ; 



12 THE DECK OF THE 'cRESCENT CITY. 

Armed volunteers, in perilous service seen, 

As brave and as successful as hath been 

A standing army, since on earth began 

The march of war, which though it draw a man 

Kightly whene'er his country is in peril. 

If it becomes merely a trade, proves sterile 

To the rich, flowering beauty of the soul. 

Love, callous grown by war, forgets to toll 

Knells of deep sorrow for ills men endure 

From causes many — and so rare the cure. 

Blest be the man whose life in camps is led. 

Upon whose cheek can natural tears be shed, 

Who in the hour of victory dares to mourn 

O'er dying, dead, and hearts secluded torn. 

The brightest ray which gleams from Taylor's name. 

The splendor shading of the warrior's fame, 

Is, that when was the conquering onset o'er, 

He was in lonely thought revolving more 

The griefs which spring on every battle field, 

Than other fruits the bloody rain might yield. 

The man who holds his native country dear 

Will ready be the sound of war to hear, 

By careful wisdom to prevent the storm, 

Or, should it come, to kindle vigor warm, 

And courage bold until the clouds shall break. 

And the earth no more with battle's thunder quake. 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 



On some results, dear Muse, expatiate, 

Which from that prompt, observing act had date ; 

Keep the exact tally of the sheaves of fame, 

Gathered to feed each brilhant soldier's name, 

And tell what crowds of limping heroes stalked 

O'er the whole land, while press and fireside talked 

Of their stern courage in the field or storm. 

Where faces pale, in maddening fight grow warm. 

Tell how the vanquished Mexicans much cunning 

Showed in war's action, but much more in running ; 

How Santa Anna's reaching Vera Cruz 

Just as he did, displayed no love of truth 

In him, and not prudence extraordinary 

In other people ; but, pray. Muse, be wary, 

Keep to yourself responsibility. 

If you sing so ; let bygones bygones be. 

For the sly Mexican it should be said, 

That not too many curses on his head 

May fall, he promised to secure a peace, 

Could he from pining exile get release, 

And breathe in Mexico again ; that 's sure, 

That was the burden of the crafty lure ; 

For that he had permission quick to slip 

By the black guns of each blockading ship. 

Here is the pinch ; after he gained the ground. 



14 THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 

The wily exile safe from harm is found 
Leading his country's armies to the field, 
Not peace, but bloody war instead to yield. 
So far, his act looks badly, all concede ; 
But looking farther, one must own, indeed, 
Santa was honest, for he meant, no doubt, 
To give the Yankees an eternal rout ; 
Santa could easily have made peace when 
He had subdued and put to flight our men. 
Then blame him not for being forced to fly. 
And with his speckled host exemplify 
Castillians pure, mestizos and the rest, — 
A war of races, — which could run the best. 
Had he but conquered as he hoped he should. 
He would have made his word of promise good. 
Let this kind, voluntary plea avail 
To free him from the chari2;e of beins; frail 
In keeping promises : — men who gain true 
Victories should give to their chief foes their duc< 
To Satan, or to Santa, for the same 
Letters, a little changed, spell either name ; 
Still, if this fair construction will not suit, 
But hits too closely where one should not shoot. 
Why, then, despite astonished has and hems. 
War will employ all sorts of stratagems. 



THE DECK OF TUE CRESCENT CITY. 15 



Our army regular and volunteers 

Fought bravely, with no palpitating fears 

Save him who shrieked, when had the fight begun, 

" Boys, these are bullets, it is time to run." 

That Colonel's name is now unknown ; for him 

Fame's candle will not blaze, but flickers dim ; 

Or, to be charitable, let it be, 

The man, engrossed in dreams of infancy. 

Fancied, in memory of his sweetened gums. 

That the swift, whizzing things were sugarplums ; 

And, when from this glad vision he awoke, 

Confused, before he thought he so outspoke. 

Still, on this point the safest explanation 

To offer is, that no man ever said so. 

No fool e'er wore a sword who could have made so 

Serious a stab into his reputation. 

By doing what would as a soldier break one. 

Nothing is better than a sharp negation 

To cut a knot, or, as to that, to make one. 

The varied soil of Mexico is kind 

To choicest fruits and to the sweetest flowers ; 

A thymy censer there is every wind ; 

The rivers' banks are crowds of forest bowers ; 

The plantains broad and hanging leaves expand. 



16 THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 

And bear in emerald pendants bounteous loads ; 
Dewdrops like gems spangle the velvet land ; 
Stalks of the aloe line the mountain roads, — 
Firm sentinels that watch the centuries' flight, 
And challenge them with floral banners bright ; 
The pine yields humbly to the embracing moss ; 
The passion-flower displays its wayside cross ; 
The blooming cactus crimsons in the sun ; 
Soft waving vines in shifting beauty run ; 
No plants odorous in sweet concert bring 
Delight, but there beneath skies cloudless spring ; 
Myriads of flowers are ever courting there 
With fragrant breath the pleased and passive air. 

One plant has recently sprung there, which glows 
With such attractive splendor, and which throws 
Abroad such fragrance, that stout-hearted men, 
Who scorn to see in fruits or flowers a grace. 
Inhaling this perfume, will gladly then. 
To pluck the prize, begin an eager race. 
Should he who so this fragrancy breathes in. 
And who is seized with such complete desire 
The enjoyment of the beauteous fruit to win, 
That struggles hard his wishes warm inspire, — 
Should he, alas, fail the bright prize to gain, 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 17 

He sinks o'ercome with disappointment's pain, 

And then arises downcast to depart, 

Like one who seeks in vain a maiden's heart. 

The trees this fruit producing cast a shade 
Greater than banians of the Indian lands. 
Beneath which are in temples offerings made 
To gods adored by prostrate pagan bands ; 
The first also shelter with shadows vast 
Large crowds of men on divers objects bent, 
As shifting chances of the hour may cast. 
On passions, envies, jealousies intent. 
Worshipping idols, each as fancy leads, 
To saints unchristian telling faithful beads. 
Bright rays of favor from this fruit extend, 
Which, while they last, support to many send ; 
But, when are quenched these rays of grace, none 

dare 
To name the crowd of evils which befall 
Unhappy men who lose their pleasant share 
In the rich, gleaming fruit ; hangs a dark pall 
O'er them, until the hope springs up to shine 
When the next fruitage comes, plump, rosy, fine, 
Whose blossoms promise soon in March to give 
To throngs impatient easy means to live. 



18 THE DECK OP THE CRESCENT CITY. 

Far short falls this account of what is famed 
Of that good fruit, the Presidency named, 
Which ripened once on well-tilled fields of state, 
But which has grown more flourishing of late 
In places noted for a deep red soil. 
Where gardeners in gold lace expend their toil. 

But, to leave parables for precepts plain, 
Soldiers, not statesmen, make the largest gain 
From the successes of a long campaign ; 
Or, to convey in plainer words the sense, 
Certain it is, ambitious senators. 
Who strive adroitly to be Presidents, 
May risk their chances, advocating wars. 
A soldier in the cannon's mouth, so speaks 
Shakspeare, the bubble reputation seeks ; 
Yes, soldiers seek empty, but shining bubbles, 
Even in the cannon's mouth ; and them they get; 
But senators get dark and solid troubles. 
And burn their fingers at that fiery jet. 
The voting people know the men who shirk 
And do the bluster, from the men who work. 
If martial ardor is to rule the day. 
Let it be that which leads the hot afi"ray ; 
Not that content of battle's blood to sing. 



/ 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 19 

And bombshells talk on velvet carpeting ; — 

(If any carpeting the sprinkled juice 

On floors of Congress leaves for proper use, 

Which thing is said in a parenthesis. 

Since means the starched and solemn Greek word 

this, 
That should one skip these little arches then, 
When he in haste is reading, still the intents 
Of the other words would stay ; so Congressmen 
Might leave out spitting and still keep their sense.) 

The Mexican dispute has given a start 

To three chief empires of the northern part 

Of this long continent, which mighty three. 

In order reckoned will be found to be, 

First, the United States, none doubt that word, 

Mexico second, but which is the third 

Must not be said in simple terms direct. 

But in words roundabout, lest should suspect. 

People who have a very touchy sense. 

That one would give deliberate offence. 

So, which stands third of independent powers 

Upon this hemisphere and proudest lowers, 

The shrewdest man can have no hope to find. 

Unless he chooses to recall to mind, 



20 THE DECK OP THE CRESCENT CITY. 

That tea grows with superb success in China, 
And with indifferent in South Carolina. 
It is most strange, indeed, that social tea, 
The hquid patron of good harmony, 
And everywhere so cheerfully delusive, 
So very haughty and reserved should be, 
As not to grow o'er all the world diffusive, 
But only in the countries most exclusive. 

To these three powers the war has given a start, 

Yet there are written on life's awful chart 

Two kinds of motion, one which forward goes. 

And every thing that would obstruct it throws 

Aside with an unconquerable will, 

And the other, which reaching the thorny hill 

And steep of labor, stumbles back with dread. 

And ever after vague through life is led ; 

Or which, in manful struggles bears defeat, 

Not wanting courage foes and storms to meet, 

But sadly, slowly yielding to the force 

Of skill or might superior in the course. 

An illustration of the former sort 

Of action, will the historic page report 

In our aggressive country's great success 

In Mexico, who gives herself no less 



THE DECK OP THE CRESCENT CITY. 21 

An instance of the latter kind of motion. 

It puzzles one to form a perfect notion, 

Which of these kinds affects the third great power, 

As perlphrasticallj is related 

Above (that's Boswell's word) : though she may 

shower 
Her threats, like bloody snow, it is not stated. 
That she has forward marched, or backward slipped ; 
Her swords have not yet to their hilts been dipped ; 
Not ready either to submit or kill. 
She finds her present strength is to stand still. 
Now breathing balm from the celestial plains. 
Now phosphorous from Lucifer's domains. 
In purgatory she will stay, no doubt. 
Until some pious persons pray her out, 
Back to this life, of which she is bereft. 
Or onward to the next, over the left. 
South Carolina, at the latest date. 
Was still confined in the intermediate state. 
Not yet arrived at the lone Heaven she wishes. 
Away from sharks and other biting fishes ; 
And not, it is believed, completely clear 
Of the deep hell of which she stands in fear. 

With shame and sorrow Mexico is worn. 
To see forever from her bosom torn 



22 THE DECK OP THE CRESCENT CITY. 



So large a region by a treaty's hands, 
Though full of gold ; no nation sells her lands, 
E'en at good bargains, without many a pang. 
Her glory is acknowledged, then, to hang 
On something better than large sums of gold ; 
The loveless woman who her child has sold 
For cash, must be in bitterness ashamed. 
And by her stinging conscience hourly blamed ; 
So can no country a large tract dismiss. 
Without much anguish in the parting kiss. 

Sales wear, in truth, a different aspect when. 
If men wont sell, they must take arms again, 
And lose, at last, without a fair return. 
The soil for which their warm affections burn ; 
That men should buy, where, when they choose, is 

well ; 
To make them buy, though cheap, or make them sell- 
Their choicest goods, though at the roundest price. 
Looks like a diabolical device. 
Beside the lands by force of treaty bought, 
Others our nation would be pleased to make 
Partners and parcels of her common lot. 
She will, of course, no formal treaties break ; 
She will be patient till has grown the fleece ; 



THE DECK OP THE CRESCENT CITY. 23 

That is, if Mexicans keep quiet there, 
The United States -will safely keep the piece 
Which is now theirs already, and forbear 
Their army or their navy to increase, 
Until they need another, larger share. 

Let that afflicted land her heart assure, 

And in the consolation find a cure, 

That Anglo-Saxon destiny will stop 

Her march, and her aggressive purpose drop, 

As soon as she is taught she must obey 

The law of right, and worthy homage pay 

To such good principles as " Take no more 

Than what is fairly, honorably yours," 

And " Carry not invasions' bitter store 

Of wrongs and ills into your neighbors' doors." 

Poor Mexico, beware ; will hasten soon. 
Following the quarters of the changing moon, 
Or, at the least, the marches of the years, 
Another deluge of your bitter tears. 
No tiger can resist the taste of blood 
Once fired ; no people can curb in the flood 
Of conquest, bursting from its iron gates, 
Heedless of aught but the imperious fates. 



24 THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 



Thou Sun, which daily in the East beginnest 
Thy race, and in the West thy bright goal winnest, 
How like is thine to Conquest's blazing course ! 
She in the East began her quenchless force. 
And since has travelled with resistless powers. 
In the long ages, as thou in brief hours, 
O'er the whole circuit of the spacious globe. 
Wrapped now as then within her crimson robe. 
Until descending in the Western main. 
She too will mount her Eastern car again. 

The world owes to the copious rains of peace 
And sun of conquest, many sheaves' increase ; 
The sun, a mighty warrior fiercely glows ; 
Peace, saith the Scripture, like a river flows. 
Point where the earth her choicest culture spreads, 
Where purest rays divine Religion sheds ; 
Then say, if so you can, with truth, that there 
The sword has had no vivifying share. 
Conquest hath cleared deep forests, opened seas, 
Thrown Christian banners to the Pagan breeze, 
Turkey subdued, but sadly yielded sway. 
Soon to regain it — may God speed the day ; 
Men who soft, grateful shade beneath the vine 
Enjoy securely, may reproachful pine 



THE DECK OP THE CRESCENT CITY. 25 

At war, in plenteous comfort thoughtless quite, 

The vine was planted by a falchion bright. 

If to change spears to pruning-hooks accords 

"With Scripture, — that order also affords 

Reverse. With ploughshares fertile lands to till, 

Is better than furrows with blood to fill ; 

Yet, without spears and swords, ploughshares may 

rust ; 
They use these best who can put manly trust 
In God and those, when summoned to maintain 
The right to sow and reap the precious grain. 

Of all the powers on earth, in sober sooth, 
The most aggressive is immortal Truth ; 
And she, to ope dark places to the day. 
And cast false gods of block and stone away, 
May seize the sword, all records past reveal, 
Not the blunt figure, but the sharpened steel. 
The sacred sword which Paul so needful made. 
Has been at times a keen Damascus blade. 
Ay, more, one greater than was Paul hath said. 
While glories hovered bright above his head, — 
" Who hath no sword," said the Incarnate Son, 
"Let him his garment sell and purchase one." 



26 THE DECK OF 'the CRESCENT CITY. 



These words are of no present value, for 

None judge the Mexican a holy war ; 

Whate'er may be its issues, it is plain 

That war began in avarice profane ; 

One General it has made a President, 

And signed for others promissory notes 

Of Presidencies in presentiment. 

To be paid promptly by the people's votes, 

Or to lie over to a distant day, 

Or to be broken by too long delay. 

If never paid, it still is no less true, 

The notes were given, and they must fall due ; 

If, then, they are not met, it will look dark 

For Young America, whose business mark 

Is a spread eagle : if the signer gives 

The station to each officer who lives. 

And claims the payment when exactly due. 

He will be puzzled between one and two. 

To see how for their wants he can provide. 

And keep a trifle for those who confide 

Upon his purse to get their daily bread. 

Who are by no ambitious wishes led. 



THE DECK OF TUE CRESCENT CITY. 27 



If every general who thinks he could guide 

The steeds of office, should attain the place, 

Generals would be, like Levites, set aside, 

No priestly, but a presidential race, 

Or like those little creatures, two feet high. 

Found somewhere near some ancient monument. 

In Nicaragua or in some place nigh. 

And set apart by popular consent, 

For priests and ministers, unless they lie, — 

That is, the papers. The young dwarfs were brought 

Hither, to show that very smallest men 

To highest stations are there lifted when 

The people need good priests to guide them right, 

And with their candles to put out the night ; 

That is, supposing that they were a race 

Expressly meant to fill the priestly place ; 

And what for truth is in the journals sought, 

Is quite as likely to be true as not. 

In Nicaragua if dwarf priests were made. 
As civil officers that land obeyed 
Such fresh, unconscious soldiers as scarce knew 
An army's from a quarterly review ; 
Though this allusion is anachronistic 



28 THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 

To quarterlies, conservative or mystic, 
In Nicaragua so long time ago ; 
Or, quite as well, indeed, it might be so. 
That North American Reviews were printed 
There, which as closely at the times then hinted, 
As have done any called by that name since, 
Which tender victuals for weak stomachs mince, 
And are so prim, conservative and wise, 
That Noah reading would have blessed his eyes ; 
And he lived farther up the stream of time 
Than Nicaragua in our western chme. 
Which at the Deluge could not have been known. 
Unless that over here the dove had flown. 
Who found not for her feet in lands unblest 
With the new olive-leaves a place of rest. 
That this may so have been we can see how ; 
The dove distracted could not find one now ; 
People in too much haste to think of loves, 
Cannot have patience with such things as doves ; 
Though men and women marry and increase, 
That is no proof of their enjoying peace, 
In such a hurried way of life as this. 
Where people get none but a hurried kiss. 
Though olive-branches cluster round the table, 
Peace may not be in hearts of parents stable ; 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 29 

Marriage in theory is a pleasant place 

Of rest, and not for life a panting race ; 

In marriage loving hearts with joy should flutter. 

Not over anxious for their bread and butter. 

But, to recur to the review aforesaid, 

Than these few lines there is no need of more said. 

Would that a North American Review 

In North America there were, so true 

As to see something in our land beside 

Great Harvard College and Charles river tide. 

And to acknowledge that the first is not 

The central sun which lights both hemispheres, 

And that the fishes in the other caught. 

Are not all whales which the universe reveres ; 

That Cambridge moves, in fact, around the sun. 

And not the sun around old Cambridge town ; 

That it is better that it should so run, 

Than set up for itself and then look down 

With scorn upon a spinning world below, 

Forever going and disposed to go. 

But Whipple is a man of sharpened sense. 
That sees through passing things to their intents, 
Which he expresses in such vigorous ways, 



30 THE DECK OP THe' CRESCENT CITY. 

As make the stamp of true, enduring praise. 

And Mr. Bowen should receive due credit 

For what is worthy of substantial merit, 

In that his brave words had some good effect 

In rescuing the University, 

When there was danger of its being wrecked 

And changed from what good colleges should be. 

The man deserves much honor who opposes 

The plan of snorting through grimacing noses 

Excessive French, and who prints manly notes 

On sticking German words in Yankee throats 

So fast there is no room for phrases Greek, 

Or deep philosophy in books to seek, 

(For books are wells of learning, though it mars 

The depths of truth when bookish men see stars,) 

Or ponder geometrical connections, 

Or skate in graceful curves o'er conic sections. 

If Pierce, not Frankhn, but Professor, would 

Under his charge take the entire brood 

Of poets in the country, and confine 

Them down as by an accurate plumb line. 

To differentials and sublime conjunctions, 

To sundry curves and divers kinds of functions. 

The poets, after such work, which rehearses 



TUE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 31 

The mind's full powers, would write much better 

verses. 
Better to track a comet through its mazes, 
Than waste a life in conning o'er French phrases. 
To study French to understand La Place, 
Is well enough and proves a man no ass ; 
But the pert exquisite has no such luck, 
Who whines in French that he would like roast duck. 

The Imagination's school is for the mind 
To grasp the studies of the hardest kind : 
If it be in one, this will bring it out ; 
If not, the sooner it will solve the doubt. 
Let transient butterflies exhaust their powers. 
In company with little birds and flowers. 
No poetry is much more gorgeous than 
The facts and theories Copernican. 
Through mathematic figures without miss 
Lies the sure road to intellectual bliss ; 
Rough is the way, but the steep height sublime, 
O'erlooking all the realms of space and time. 
Greek letters please the soul, if not the sight, 
For they are mortals, full of grace and light ; 
But, when they soar above their earthly bars, 
They turn to angels, coursing among stars ; 



32 THE DECK OF T'ETE CRESCENT CITY. 

They who on earth reclined in Homer's bower, 
There sing the epic of supernal power, 
A theme subUmer than Achilles' wrath, 
The majesty of God's creative path. 

The present writer has no mathematic 
Knowledge, but on it he could grow ecstatic ; 
Fain would he under Pierce such learning win — 
The years have fled, he cannot now begin. 
But, Mr. Longfellow, please throw aside 
Your modern languages, and then confide 
In the full strength of your accomplished soul ; 
Then will your verse in nobler volume roll ; — 
All languages that e'er on earth have been. 
Less than the playthings of a doll are seen, 
Despite their gorgeous wealth of illustration, 
If knowing them be the mind's culmination. 
No longer buried lie beneath rich shields, 
The glittering spoils of literary fields, 
But spring above the oppressive, costly things ; 
You are an eagle, whose true strength of wings 
Is closely bound by culture's golden chains ; 
Break free ; seek bracing heights and airy plains. 

It was not fair to call, in phrases dark. 
The man conservative who built the ark ; 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 33 

Unless upon that wronged and injured word, 
Its true and lawful meaning is conferred ; 
For to conserve means to keep good things sound ; 
Which Noah did, and he was righteous found. 
To see the tempest, and for it prepare. 
Is more conservative than scoffs to throw 
On men who in the face of scorning dare 
Boldly upon their manly course to go. 

To leave reviews for some discoursing more 

Akin to matters touched upon before, — 

How nimbly those small Aztec children played ! 

What twinkling smiles their httle black eyes made ! 

In priestly functions they Y/ould look demure, — 

Perhaps sublime, from levity secure. 

Set any dwarf up in a straight-backed chair, 

Tell him to keep straight, he will keep straight 

there ; 
The less he knaws, the straighter he will sit ; 
If this is not so, make a truer hit ; 
He will do things correctly and precisely, 
And manage matters most adroitly, nicely, 
For the good reason that he has not got. 
And the stiff chair has to his brains not brought 
Genius enough o'er square-built rules to break, 

5 



34 THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 



And sense too little for a great mistake. 

There are few easier things in this world wide, 

Than for a man to act the dignified ; 

To wear a title and a costly shirt, 

To do no good, and very little hurt, 

To live and die, and have a funeral. 

And be remembered by not one — that 's all. 

It is not meant " old fogies " to denounce ; 
One likes them better than young ones who bounce 
Out of their senses in their headlong zeal 
To give to old ones blows which they shall feel, 
And who let down in lifting o'er the rest, 
The young and fiery Douglass of the West, 
Who, had his friends not madly dared to fan 
Embers of strife, might now have been the man. 
Instead of Pierce, " to be, or not to be. 
That is the question " we resolved shall see ; 
Meanwhile, a good rule is, when a thing makes fear, 
Lest you commit yourself, to quote some Shaks- 
peare. 

This essay, it is owned, is quite digressive. 
Not very closely to the point adhesive, 
(That e said short, will make the rhyming do, 



THE DECK OP THE CRESCENT CITY. 35 

Though strictly not, by Dr. Johnson, true.) 
The subject of these rambling pages' plan 
Is war, the last war, war the Mexican ; 
But, oft it happens in best ordered verses. 
That their contriver here and there disburses 
His thoughts on a variety of things. 
And casts at random his satiric flings. 
Poets, like all divines, afar may wander 
From the strict text, and inspirations squander 
On men and matters, as may please their taste, 
Bringing out good from the apparent waste. 
Nay, worse ; there 's many a parson who will dare 
To attack a stiff-necked deacon in his prayer ; 
Brethren at variance may in congregations 
Exchange hot shot in fervent supplications ; 
And none (so safe are such good, holy ways,) 
Would sue a man for libel when he prays. 
Though noblest hearts be pierced in such a case, 
The man who so profanes the Throne of Grace 
Is sacred, though not sending forth alone 
God's arrows thence, but poisoned of his own. 
In what a solemn, stately contrast stand 
The prayers liturgic of our fatherland, 
Where priest and people to God lowly bend, 
And upward penitence together send, 



30 THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 

Feeling more need forgiveness to implore, 
Than to call vengeance on a brother's door. 

To one the Presidential tree has given 

Its fruit, who was too soon from honors riven 

To plant upon the field of state the same 

Seeds from which grew the soldier's flowering fame ; 

As manly triumphs would his skill have won 

There, as when were his deeds in battle done ; 

But far too well the prudent soldier knew 

Than e'en his country's glory to pursue 

In reckless haste ; yet, for that deem him not 

Unequal to the statesman's reach of thought ; 

Rather, it proved the presence of such force, 

Calmly to look on the tempestuous course 

Of action, till with needful power his will 

The ripened season for its might should fill, 

And safely lead through gloomy storms the land. 

None will the warrior as a coward brand, 

Or as too weak with energy to guide 

Battle's vociferous and conflicting tide. 

Who, ere he gives his order arms to seize. 

And with the trumpet to alarm the breeze, 

Which from their tents the waiting army calls, 

To advance until the last foe flies or falls. 



THE DECK OF THE CKESCENT CITY. 37 

Well ponders every feature of the field, 
What help can nature to position yield, 
How strong the forces are which him obey, 
How large are those against him which combine, 
That, when is formed the battle's glistening Hne, 
He may press onward in the clashing fight, 
To live rejoicing in his army's might. 
Or gaze on victory's star with dying sight. 

But, ere the banners in the breezes float. 

In concord waving with the trumpet's note, 

Should the unthought of enemy impart 

From his thick ambuscade a sudden dart. 

And strike the warrior in his anxious tent. 

Upon the action of the morrow bent, 

Say not he was less skilful or less brave. 

Than when his arms former successes gave. 

As startling victories might have closed new strife, 

Had not death stilled the vigorous pulse of life. 

His great competitor has since fallen too. 
His brow in age still moist with youthful dew, 
A patriot whom no enmity could pen, 
A despot only o'er the hearts of men, 
Which, at the instant bidding of his will, 



38 TUE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 

Beat with quick blood, or pensive hushed stood still ; 

His tones now trilled like the soft warbling flute, 

Now like the clangor of the bugle rung ; 

At his voice others were enchained and mute ; 

Senates sedate and popular gatherings hung 

With like devotion on his lips of power, 

In breathless fealtj to the enchanting hour. 

Never was his the Presidential height, 

Yet never reigned a king with surer might 

Than he o'er hosts of sterling men, who pressed 

His hands with homage which their eyes confessed. 

Though not exalted to that lofty seat. 

He kept through life his stately honors meet ; 

Where'er on lips of men his name was heard, 

Where'er entranced the music of his word ; 

He breathed out lingering life hard by the field. 

Where was his voice his triumphs wont to yield ; 

Others have been as much admired, but love. 

The manly love which manly hearts can feel. 

Was given to him, his brethren all above, 

Who labored with him for the common weal. 

Those who best knew him from youth's opening year 

To the last breath and sadly laden bier. 

His name so cherish for afiection's sake, 

That, should you wish in their last hour to make 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 39 

Closed, dying eyes flash open to the day, 
In the chilled ear speak softly Henry Clay. 

Another, long versed in the aiFairs of state, 

With step yet firm and strong, has passed the gate 

Of threescore years and ten : his place of rest 

Awaits the mental glory of the west. 

Since great Napoleon fought, since Shakspeare sung, 

No larger mind has been on earth ; no tongue 

Should be with scorn protesting made to burn, 

When fiery insults from hot rancor's urn 

On eminence like his fall in fast showers. 

Applaud his judgment, if, in wisdom's powers, 

He has judged rightly ; but, if wrong and ill. 

He is no less a fervent patriot still ; 

If you believe him wrong, grieve, bitter Sirs, 

But, right or wrong, spare your malignant slurs. 

What, if at party's call he will not come ? 

Defeated greatness should be manly dumb ; 

'Tis true, great men must sometimes yield, to bless, 

But little ones can always acquiesce ; 

The man who feels the inborn right to rule 

Cannot be out of it cajoled ; at school 

He learned it not, but in the exalted hour. 

When conscious grew his spirit's waiting power. 



40 THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 



The statesman's Court is History ; praise and blame 

She will in measure true give to his name, 

And every reason why he gains or fails, 

She will weigh fair in her consummate scales ; 

One point, already, her decree sets right. 

Upon her page it blazes far and bright ; 

For there, in burning letters is it spoken, 

The spell of Southern sorcery is broken. 

Trust not the promise of a prince's mouth, 

Trust not the soft words of the sunny South. 

Where breathe the early Spring's perfumes ashore, 
In a safe home, near which no tempests roar. 
In carping words it easy is to scan 
The struggles of the storm-beat, sailing man. 
To say if only he had pulled this rope. 
Or furled that sail, or so have ruled the helm, 
He would have acted as he ought to cope 
AVith dangers such as threatened to o'erwhelm. 
And nearly had, the ship and all her men. 
Change places, thou keen critic, and what then ? 
Wilt thou upright stand on the dizzy deck. 
While glaring furies gnash to seize the wreck — 
Thou, who such mirth made at the sailor's dearth 



THE DECK OF THE CRESCENT CITY. 41 

Of sense, when seas and skies in vengeance lowered ? 
Or bleach with terror in thy tossing berth, 
On land a hero, but at sea a coward ? 

Belentless hatred is not just or meet. 

With no more base and heartless injury treat, 

A long life's hard and patriotic pains ; 

Kemember old Columbus bound with chains. 

Let not the western world that voyager found. 

Where mounts and rivers with his name resound, 

With shackles of dishonor bind a hand. 

E'er ready to defend his native land. 

If hopes, through years of labor shining bright, 

Must now go out in disappointment's night. 

To him refuse not praises due to give 

For all his good, which till time dies shall live ; 

Take from his brow whatever bays you will, 

A host remaining will adorn it still. 

Grieve, if you must, or e'en with sorrow blame ; 
Yet a fond lover of the chase with shame 
Might blush to see a howling, frothing pack. 
With teeth of venom, though but small, attack 
An aged lion, wounded on the plain. 
Too sad to shake again his fearful mane. 



42 THE DECK OF tllE CRESCENT CITY. 



Draws the last shadow towards the dial-plate ; 
What will be worth lamenting, bitter tears 
And sharp remorse, when it will be too late 
To leave unsaid keen, unrelenting jeers ? 
"When the full orb has gone from human sight, 
All will remember his resplendence bright. 
Men who enjoy the genial, shining sun, 
Heed not their blessing till his course is run. 

Lives a true hero of the martial field. 
Grown in hard service of his country old, 
Who bears as an invulnerable shield. 
His noble honor, decked with courage bold. 
A victor o'er his foes in open fight 
Arrayed against him, conqueror no less 
O'er the mean spirits, moved by envy's blight, 
To thwart the glories of his brave success. 
Can aught be meaner than in battle's day. 
When pure, pervading courage is the salt 
Which keeps a nation's honor from decay, 
For men to brand that courage as a fault ? 
The sharpest shafts official rage can give, 
A soul magnanimous can soon outlive. 
And gain a nobler meed than royal crown. 



THE DECK or THE CRESCENT CITY. 43 

'T is poor economy to keep men down, 

For tliey at times unheeded may arise 

In splendid light before a nation's eyes, 

While envy scowls and blinlcs with slant surprise. 

Meanness, when clothed with office, may be felt, — 

Unrobed, it soon to native slime will melt ; 

To pluck at budding honor or to tear 

In pieces the full flower, is often don^; 

Always have lived such men as cannot bear 

To see fame's harvest in its season won. 

Yet, when an envious government will dare 

The peril of its arms' defeat to run. 

To break two heroes down, what act of shame 

Can history show, deserving deeper blame, 

Than ignominy so profound as this. 

Greeted with the w^hole world's indignant hiss ? 

One half the debt of justice has been paid. 

No longer will the other be delayed. 

Than till the suffrages of men accord 

To fill the complement of just reward. 

He is the first of Captains now, — for look ! 
Coffined in lead lies the great Iron Duke ; — 
He would have spurned the regal diadem, 



44 THE DECK OF* THE CRESCENT CITY. 

"Which Mexico would eagerly have placed 

Upon his brow, exulting at each gem 

Which with resplendence bright the symbol graced. 

He in his country's ranks would be enrolled, 

Sooner than an imperial sceptre hold 

On any nation else beneath the sun. 

He may behold his moral victories won. 

Outshine his deeds of fame in battle done. 

A haughty C!^sar, whose ambitious eyes 

Had been so dazzled, would have seized the prize. 
I 

Ask you where his thick wreath of laurels grew ? 
Some, on the banks moist with Niagara's dew ; 
Others, near shining heights of constant snow. 
And on the emerald plains of Mexico ; 
Some, where pine forests shade with fearful gloom ; 
Others, where fragrant white magnolias bloom ; 
Some, where the Indians' yells of war arise ; 
Others, where British valor falls and dies ; 
Some, where descendants of Cortes' bold day 
Yield to a race endowed with mighter sway ; 
Some, where the earth is pale and stiff with cold. 
Some, where she laughs, clothed in green, gems and 

gold. 
They spread in beauty in the northern air ; 



THE DECK OP THE CRESCENT CITY. 45 

They breathe odorous on the southern gales ; 
The salt spray of the eastern shore they wear ; 
They spring luxuriant in the -^N-estern vales. 

Remember how the hardy Franklin's key 
Disarmed the storm's lurid artillery, 
And when in volleys swift the red bolts flew, 
Harmless to earth the flashing chain-shot drew ; 
After, he reared bright points of bristling steel. 
As sharp peacemakers with the sky to deal. 
On Scott, the martial Franklin, fix your gaze, 
For his like skill render its meed of praise. 
When battle's ruddy rage was soon to break, 
He bade the roaring, glaring threats to cease, 
And dared of swords and bayonets to make 
Quick, safe, efficient lightning-rods of peace. 
When shall not be in glory's temple seen 
War's laurels red, the marks of ancient fame. 
The oUve-branch of peace in fadeless green. 
Shall glisten brightly on the soldier's name. 

" To gild refined gold " would not be worse. 
Than, after Hawthorne, to sketch Franklin Pierce ; 
For he such streams of genius' golden light 
Pours o'er his friend at college, that one might 



46 THE DECK OF THE CRESCEN'T CITY. 

Vote for that hero to direct the nation, 

Out of unconquerable admiration 

Of Mr. Hawthorne, who will not be frozen 

Up in an office ; Pierce will not be chosen ; 

As good a title, still, have men of letters 

For office as their — but they have no betters. 

Yet, if the warmth of Democratic friction 

Should give the go-by to this plain prediction. 

Those who have worked the hardest for that end, 

Towards Concord town in hurrying crowds will 

wend ; 
In other words, they will present their bills. 
By post or person, at the Granite Hills. 
Pierce would do well, if he should like some quarter, 
To block his doors and windows up with mortar, 
And keep a sharp look-out, lest pouncing thick 
Should come disturbing many a blackened brick, 
(While his pleased thoughts upon his honors muse,) 
Some office-seekers down the chimney flues. 
If quarter he should need, this would be good ; 
Perhaps he wont, — may God forbid he should. 



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